Mt. Diablo Village is a new nonprofit organization for Walnut Creek seniors. While its goal is to help seniors age in place for as long as possible, it also offers a wide variety of programs to provide opportunities for seniors to continue to learn, stay active, make friends and find meaning and purpose by caring and helping others.
A Membership and Volunteer Drive will be held on Wednesday, February 25, from 4pm to 6pm at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek. Membership and volunteer applications will be officially accepted at the event.
Mt. Diablo Village’s mission is to build an active community among seniors to promote social connections, support independence, engage volunteerism, and support continued growth through education. Its vision is to see seniors in Mt. Diablo Village make new friends, explore their hidden talents, stay healthy with physical exercise, know who to call when help is needed, stay informed of community affairs, volunteer when possible, and continue to be invaluable assets and resources for the community they call home.
Numerous reports have shown prolonged social isolation as being one of the main causes for depression. When seniors get together and socialize with one another, not only will the seniors themselves be happier
individuals, it will also reduce the number of depression cases in the community.
While Mt. Diablo Village takes pride as a connector among its members, it is also a giant magnet that connects different components in the community. Its program offerings have been collaborative projects with the Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association, the Arts and Rec Department, the East Bay Regional Parks District and other nonprofit organizations. A well webbed network is being established to create a dynamic and vibrant community for our seniors to enjoy.
According to Ellen Osmundson, founder of Mt. Diablo Village, “Walnut Creek’s senior population of 55+ is about 43%. Now that they are at an age to enjoy themselves, we are delighted to be able to provide opportunities for them to make friends and age together with their friends old and new. At Mt. Diablo Village, we believe aging is better together.”
Submitted by Ellen Osmundson